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It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!

Larry F.'s letter reinforces my expectation that he'll be able to retain his objectivity.

We often post re the increasing quality of Asian-made pianos, but I was struck by his mentioning that computerization has so broadly increased quality that he now sees his role as having changed from critic to guide.

And he's absolutely right about the consequence of the current expectation of money for nuthin' and chicks for free.

We often post re the increasing quality of Asian-made pianos, but I was struck by his mentioning that computerization has so broadly increased quality that he now sees his role as having changed from critic to guide.

This is similiar to what I heared some say during my recent trip to Germany.

They said "we can't build for the price of Estonias and we'll most definitely never get anywhere near the cost of the Chinese".

"So, let's invent the next generation CNC machinery and sell that to them"

"If the Chinese are start building better and better pianos, go ahead, blame us - at least we'll make money with something".....

"Piano Buyer" is quite impressive, Larry. Congratulations! In particular, I was pleased to see your new format for grouping and ranking pianos. Having a smaller number of categories, and not ranking them within category, reflects more accurately the state of parity in piano manufacturing today, and it will undoubtedly save you a WHOLE lot of grief from fans and manufacturers who want to quibble with differences in rankings that really didn't mean that much.

SophieM
Full Member
Registered: 07/12/08
Posts: 353
Loc: New York City

Larry et al - Thank you for providing the book on line for free!

Just a thought - I actually prefer the old rating system for pianos. There are definitely unmistakable variations in terms of performance and musicality among the pianos listed under Category 2 but they are all lumped together.... I guess this is meant as a very generic guide and the pianist must then discern for him/herself.

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 19841
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: Monica K

In particular, I was pleased to see your new format for grouping and ranking pianos. Having a smaller number of categories, and not ranking them within category, reflects more accurately the state of parity in piano manufacturing today, and it will undoubtedly save you a WHOLE lot of grief from fans and manufacturers who want to quibble with difference in rankings that really didn't mean that much.

As I count it there are 6 categories in the latest edition compared to about 13 in the previous one. But in neither one were the pianos in each group ranked. The pianos in each group in the last edition were listed alphabetically.

In particular, I was pleased to see your new format for grouping and ranking pianos. Having a smaller number of categories, and not ranking them within category, reflects more accurately the state of parity in piano manufacturing today, and it will undoubtedly save you a WHOLE lot of grief from fans and manufacturers who want to quibble with differences in rankings that really didn't mean that much.

Originally Posted By: SophiaM

Just a thought - I actually prefer the old rating system for pianos. There are definitely unmistakable variations in terms of performance and musicality among the pianos listed under Category 2 but they are all lumped together.... I guess this is meant as a very generic guide and the pianist must then discern for him/herself.

pianoloverus
Yikes! 10000 Post Club Member
Registered: 05/29/01
Posts: 19841
Loc: New York City

Originally Posted By: SophieM

Larry et al - Thank you for providing the book on line for free!

Just a thought - I actually prefer the old rating system for pianos. There are definitely unmistakable variations in terms of performance and musicality among the pianos listed under Category 2 but they are all lumped together.... I guess this is meant as a very generic guide and the pianist must then discern for him/herself.

Fine said there was no unaninimity of opinion among the techs who offered opinions about these pianos.

Wow!! Who said good things are not "FREE" anymore. Thanks to all who had their hands in this project. My only problem is between Pre-Season Football & The Buyer's Guide I will not get any rest this weekend.

Just spent a few minutes skimming through and the online book looks great. I'm looking forward to reading more. I liked the piano ratings in the old supplements, but I think this works just fine too. Great job Larry, Steve, and everyone else who contributed.

Nobody is going to mention the elephant in the room? NY Steinways right there among 11 other brands (ranging in the old version between group 1B to 2B). Sorry, not meaning to start a war -- I for one love Steinways and do not believe them to be overpriced.

Canceled my webstore online order and ordered direct for a $aving. Browsed the online version and it looks great, but I prefer one on the shelf that I can grab whenever.Hopefully, in the spring we will get a discounted pre-print notification/offer?

NY Steinways right there among 11 other brands (ranging in the old version between group 1B to 2B). Sorry, not meaning to start a war -- I for one love Steinways and do not believe them to be overpriced.

NY Steinways right there among 11 other brands (ranging in the old version between group 1B to 2B). Sorry, not meaning to start a war -- I for one love Steinways and do not believe them to be overpriced.